Flu Season in Full Swing, Time to Get Vaccinated

We are nearing the end of National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Georgia Department of Public Health is encouraging all Georgia residents to get vaccinated.

In Georgia, the Department of Public Health has flu season designated from September thru March.

This time of year is key for vaccinations, and Penny Conner with the Department of Public Health, says even those who consider themselves healthy can still get the flu.

“It can cause hospitalization or even death in some cases, in Georgia’s 31 flu seasons, we have had an estimated 49,000 flu related deaths in Georgia; so it is very serious”, said Conner.

She says everyone over the age of six months is able to receive the vaccine.

Those under the age of two and over the age of sixty-five are more heavily encouraged to get vaccinated.

Conner also dispels the claims that you can get the flu by getting vaccinated.

“Those are made of inactivated particles, so you can’t get the flu from that. That’s not to say that after you got, as we get older our immune systems weaken, so that is why we have to get as many antibodies on board as we can”, explained Conner.

Flu vaccinations are available in Elbert County at numerous local pharmacies, so be sure and get vaccinated.